Falcons vs. Bears Live Updates: Chicago Wins 37-17
This week, the Atlanta Falcons face the Chicago Bears in a game with playoff implications.
The Falcons (7-8) and the Bears (6-9) aren't Super Bowl favorites, but after years of missing the playoffs, both franchises find themselves in the mix for a playoff appearance in Week 17 and should enter this game looking to make a statement.
Perhaps no player has made his voice and presence felt more on either side of the ball this season than Atlanta's free-agent acquisition, Jessie Bates III. The former All-Pro safety has had more production in his first season with the Falcons than in any of his five years spent with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bates has the second most interceptions in the league at six and has 117 tackles this season to go alongside his ball-hawking skills. Quite simply, he's been an absolute headache for opposing offenses. Whether the ball is in the air or on the ground, he's found a way to make an impactful play.
Today, though, Bears quarterback Justin Fields will attempt to prove he can get the best of Bates and Atlanta's defense. Fields is playing for his career as a starting quarterback.
As a former No. 11 overall pick still on his rookie contract, Fields will have more time to prove that he can be a starting quarterback next season, but the question is on what team?
Fields has found success at different points in his young career, especially running the football with his legs, but this season, he struggled early on as a passer after some speculated that he had MVP potential this season.
Falcons vs. Bears GAMEDAY: How to Watch, Betting Odds
With Chicago currently projected to get the No. 1 pick from the Carolina Panthers, Fields security in the Windy City is up in the air, but the Falcons have been rumored to have interest in the young signal caller.
Which team wins today could have a major impact on the future of each franchise.
FIRST QUARTER:
Falcons Ball- First down 22-yard reception Drake London.
Bijan Robinson's 21-yard rush.
Incomplete pass.
Bijan fumble recovered.
London eight-yard reception.
50-yard field goal attempt is NO GOOD!
Bears Ball- Moore with a 32-yard reception.
Incomplete pass.
Herbert six-yard rush.
False start offense, five-yard penalty.
Pass to Johnson for 24 yards.
Fields loss of three yards on a carry.
Scott loss of one yard.
Seven-yard pass to Moore for a TOUCHDOWN!
Chicago leads 7-0, 8:47 remaining in the first quarter.
Falcons Ball- Bijan rush for no gain.
Heinicke five-yard rush.
Heinicke 10-yard rush.
Bijan five-yard rush. Injury timeout Chicago, Stevenson.
Heinicke seven-yard rush.
London 20-yard reception.
Allgeier five-yard rush.
Robinson rush for one-yard loss.
Incomplete pass.
42-yard field goal attempt is NO GOOD! Second failed field goal for Atlanta today.
Bears Ball- Herbert run for no gain.
Fields three-yard rush.
Moore 32-yard reception.
Fields nine-yard rush.
Jones two-yard rush. Atlanta's Zach Harrison was injured on the play. Injury timeout.
Herbert three-yard rush.
SECOND QUARTER
Tonyan 10-yard reception.
Fields nine-yard rush for a TOUCHDOWN!
Chicago extends lead 14-0, 14:14 remaining in the half.
Falcons Ball- Pass to Allgeier goes for 75 yards and a TOUCHDOWN!
Atlanta fires back to make it a 14-7 game with 14 minutes remaining in the half.
Bears Ball- Incomplete pass.
Herbert run for no gain.
Tonyan six-yard reception.
Punt.
Falcons Ball- Robinson two-yard rush.
Incomplete pass.
Sack at the line of scrimmage.
Punt.
Bears Ball- Fields two-yard rush.
Herbert reception for no gain.
Moore nine-yard reception.
Herbert 12-yard rush.
Scott 16-yard reception.
Incomplete pass.
Tonyan 24-yard reception.
Herbert four-yard rush.
Herbert five-yard reception.
Johnson rush for no gain.
Fields one-yard rush.
Johnson two-yard rush for a TOUCHDOWN!
Chicago leads 21-7 with 4:02 remaining in the first half.
Falcons Ball- Incomplete pass.
Bijan one-yard rush.
Incomplete pass.
Punt.
Bears Ball- Herbert six-yard rush.
Herbert one-yard rush.
TWO MINUTE WARNING
Fields sacked for a nine-yard loss.
ATLANTA FIRST TIMEOUT
Punt.
Falcons Ball- Bijan two-yard rush.
Incomplete pass.
Heinicke throws an INTERCEPTION to Edwards.
Bears Ball-Incomplete pass.
Moore two-yard reception.
CHICAGO FIRST TIMEOUT
Fields sacked for a two-yard loss.
CHICAGO SECOND TIMEOUT
Missed field goal to end the first half.
HALFTIME: Chicago leads 21-7 over Falcons
THIRD QUARTER
Bears Ball- Moore 28-yard reception.
Herbert nine-yard rush.
Herbert 35-yard rush.
Incomplete pass.
Fields loss of one-yard on a rush.
Incomplete pass.
ATLANTA FIRST TIMEOUT
Santos 22-yard field goal is GOOD!
Chicago extends lead 24-7, 11:56 remaining in the third quarter.
Falcons Ball- Bijan five-yard reception.
Bijan 10-yard rush.
Jefferson nine-yard reception.
Bijan rush for no gain.
Roughing the passer, Falcons advance 15 yards.
Allgeier three-yard rush.
Incomplete pas.
Incomplete pass.
Koo 38-yard field goal attempt is GOOD!
Atlanta cuts into lead 24-10 with 8:29 remaining in the third quarter.
Bears Ball- Incomplete pass.
Johnson two-yard rush.
Fields 13-yard scramble.
Herbert loses two yards on a carry.
Johnson 12-yard reception.
Incomplete pass.
Herbert four-yard rush.
Fields loses one yard rushing.
Incomplete pass on fourth down.
Turnover on downs.
Falcons Ball- Incomplete pass.
Pass INTERCEPTED by Smith!
Bears Ball- Incomplete pass.
Herbert rush for no gain.
Moore 23-yard reception.
Incomplete pass.
Herbert four-yard rush.
Moore five-yard reception.
Santos 42-yard field goal attempt is GOOD!
Chicago extends lead 27-10 over Atlanta, 1:10 remaining in the third quarter.
Falcons Ball- Robinson six-yard rush.
Bijan three-yard rush.
Allgeier two-yard rush.
FOURTH QUARTER
Incomplete pass.
Robinson 12-yard rush.
Robinson three-yard rush.
Incomplete pass.
Unnecessary roughness 15-yard penalty.
Jefferson six-yard reception.
Incomplete pass.
Heinicke scrambles for 24 yards and a TOUCHDOWN!
Atlanta trims lead 27-17 with 12:22 remaining.
Bears Ball- Moore 21-yard reception.
Herbert rush for no gain.
HOLDING on the offense. 10-yard penalty.
Johnson five-yard reception.
Johnson nine-yard reception.
Punt.
Falcons Ball- Incomplete pass.
Incomplete pass.
Incomplete pass.
Punt.
Bears Ball- Johnson two-yard rush.
Fields one-yard rush.
Fields 11-yard scramble.
Johnson six-yard rush.
Incomplete pass.
Incomplete pass.
Santos 42-yard field goal attempt is GOOD!
Chicago extends lead 30-17 over Atlanta, 4:59 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Falcons Ball- Bijan loses one yard after making a reception.
Heinicke sacked for a loss of six yards.
Incomplete pass.
Heinicke pass INTERCEPTED by Gordon.
Bears Ball- Herbert two-yard rush.
ATLANTA USES SECOND TIMEOUT
Herbert 38-yard rush.
Herbert one-yard rush for a TOUCHDOWN!
Chicago extends lead 37-17 over Atlanta, 3:39 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Falcons Ball: Bijan 11-yard reception.
Desmond Ridder completion to Pitts for five yards.
Bijan six-yard reception.
London six-yard reception.
Ridder throws an INTERCEPTION to Stevenson.
Bears Ball- Johnson two-yard rush.
ATLANTA USES FINAL TIMEOUT
Fields strip-sacked Chicago recovers after a loss of 13 yards.
TWO MINUTE WARNING
Johnson seven-yard rush.
Punt.
Falcons Ball- Teo allgeier rushes for three yards.
Final: Bears win 37-17